Melges 32 series kicks off
In March, the busiest month for regattas in the Virgin Islands welcomed racers from near and far to experience all that our steady-winded waters have to offer. Joining the circuit this year is the Melges 32 Virgin Islands Racing Series. As of press time, the first leg of the series at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda rounded off with organizers and participants heralding a successful turnout for traveling sailors and some local participants and establishments as well. There, Roberto Tomasini Grinover aboard Robertissima championed the regatta, with Alex Jackson’s Leenabaraca in second and Jason Carroll’s Argo in third. Racers had also committed to the March 22-24 International Rolex Regatta in St Thomas and the BVI Spring Regatta, as an unsanctioned event, from March 29-31.
Melges 32s take to North Sound, VG waters. All photos by Joy Dunnigan.
The Melges 32 one-design racing brand attracts an elite crowd of boat owners and teams that travel around the globe to compete. International interest in the racing brand has grown with more than 80 teams competing worldwide. According to their website, the company has sold more than 150 of these grand prix vessels since 2005. Their one design build and design have attracted some of the most skilled tacticians and trimmers in the world. It’s these reasons that have brought excitement to and off our shores.
Before the regatta series started, I spoke with Harry Melges—one of the most competitive and storied sailors in history—about the family-owned company and its renowned stake in the industry.
“People get excited to sail our boats because they are fast and fun,” he said. “I think beyond the boats, though we have a fantastic group of owners and teams that migrate into our classes. Some of the best sailors in the world rub elbows with amateurs—Corinthian sailors—or any given day, creating a great environment both on and off the water.”
Melges was originally approached by a group of Virgin Islands sailors, who lobbied for our waters as an ideal location for the premier events. Previously, the series called the shores of Florida home.
In the BVI, Melges 32 boat owner Mark Plaxton, who has taken down two consecutive Heineken Regattas on his prided vessel, led the push here to bring three events to BVI waters. He called upon the support of veteran pros Peter Holmberg, Anthony Koutoun and Ben Beer of the USVI to also lobby for the event across Virgin Islands waters.
Holmberg, who has raced on Melges 32 teams for the past two years, described the racing machines as “extremely difficult to sail, but highly rewarding when you do.
“Attracting this class of boats for a winter series is a huge achievement for our territories,” he continued. “The class is regarded as one of the best in the world, so the press and the public will take notices of them coming here.”
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SAILING CALENDAR
April 20 Virgin Queen Pizza Pursuit Race
April 26 Melges 32 Caribbean Championship, Peter Island
May 4 BVI Dinghy Championships
May 4 Race and Cruise to Bitter End Yacht Club
May 24 Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta
May 26 Leverick Bay Dinghy Poker Run
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